Abstract:

A vibration-proof holder applicable to a communications/navigation device
for vehicle use is provided, characterized by the use of a gap-detecting
unit to detect position variations of the communications/navigation
device, and an electromagnetic control unit to adjust magnetic intensity
of magnetic bodies fixedly installed in the vehicle, wherein first and
second magnetic bodies are limited to remain in the same track and to
face one another with the same magnetic polar end thereof, such that the
communications/navigation device can return to its initial position to
achieve the vibration-proof effect.

Claims:

1. A vibration-proof holder applicable to a communications/navigation
device for use with a vehicle, the vibration-proof holder being connected
to the communications/navigation device and the vehicle, the
vibration-proof holder comprising:a power supply unit for outputting an
adjustable electric current;a first magnetic body and a second magnetic
body fixedly installed in the communications/navigation device and the
vehicle respectively, at least one of the first and second magnetic
bodies being an electromagnet and electrically connected to the power
supply unit;a limiting member fixedly installed in the vehicle to
restrict the first and second magnetic bodies in a same track, allowing
the first and second magnetic bodies to face one another with at least
one same magnetic pole thereof;a gap-detecting unit configured to detect
a gap value between the first and second magnetic bodies and to further
output a magnetic force adjusting signal if the detected gap value
deviates from a preset value; andan electromagnetic control unit
configured to receive the magnetic force adjusting signal output from the
gap-detecting unit and to control magnetic intensity of the first
magnetic body and/or the second magnetic body by adjusting the adjustable
electric current output from the power supply unit according to the
detected gap value, thereby adjusting the gap value therebetween to be
consistent with the preset value.

2. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
magnetic body is a permanent magnet and the second magnetic body is an
electromagnet.

3. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
magnetic body is an electromagnet and the second magnetic body is a
permanent magnet.

4. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second magnetic bodies are constituted by a permanent magnet and an
electromagnet combined with one another.

5. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second magnetic bodies are disposed in a vertical orientation with
respect to each other.

6. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein
cross-sections of first and second magnetic bodies are of an "M" shape.

7. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gap-detecting unit is a gap sensor.

8. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
communications/navigation device is a satellite navigation device.

9. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
gap-detecting unit and/or the electromagnetic control unit are fixedly
installed in the vehicle.

10. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power
supply unit, the gap-detecting unit and/or the electromagnetic control
unit are powered through the vehicle for operation.

11. A vibration-proof holder applicable to a communications/navigation
device for use with a vehicle, the vibration-proof holder being connected
to the communications/navigation device and the vehicle, the
vibration-proof holder comprising:a power supply unit for outputting an
adjustable electric current;a first magnetic body and a plurality of
second magnetic bodies fixedly installed in the communications/navigation
device and the vehicle respectively, at least one of the first and second
magnetic bodies being an electromagnet and electrically connected to the
power supply unit;a limiting member fixedly installed in the vehicle to
restrict the first and second magnetic bodies in a same track, allowing
the first and second magnetic bodies to face one another with at least
one same magnetic pole thereof;a gap-detecting unit configured to detect
a gap value between the first and second magnetic bodies and to further
output a magnetic force adjusting signal if the detected gap value
deviates from a preset value; andan electromagnetic control unit
configured to receive the magnetic force adjusting signal output from the
gap-detecting unit and to control magnetic intensity of the first
magnetic body and/or the second magnetic body by adjusting the adjustable
electric current output from the power supply unit according to the
detected gap value, thereby adjusting the gap value therebetween to be
consistent with the preset value.

12. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first
magnetic body is an electromagnet and the second magnetic body is a
permanent magnet.

13. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first
magnetic body is a permanent magnet and the second magnetic body is an
electromagnet.

14. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first
and second magnetic bodies are constituted by a permanent magnet and an
electromagnet combined with one another.

15. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first
and second magnetic bodies are disposed in a horizontal direction with
respect to each other.

16. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first
and second magnetic bodies are of a rectangular shape.

17. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
gap-detecting unit is a gap sensor.

18. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
communications/navigation device is a satellite navigation device.

19. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
gap-detecting unit and/or the electromagnetic control unit are fixedly
installed in the vehicle.

20. The vibration-proof holder as claimed in claim 11, wherein the power
supply unit, the gap-detecting unit and/or the electromagnetic control
unit are powered through the vehicle for operation.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]1. Field of the Invention

[0002]The present invention generally relates to a vibration-proof holders
applicable to electronic communications and/or navigation devices, and
more particularly, to a vibration-proof holder applicable to electronics
devices for use in vehicles.

[0003]2. Description of the Related Art

[0004]The integration of satellite navigation (GPS) devices with
communications devices such as cell phones is increasingly popular,
especially for portable navigation products. Navigation devices are
widely used in automobile vehicles nowadays and such navigation devices
are typically held in place by a conventional fastening mechanism such as
that depicted in FIG. 1. As illustrated, the navigation device 1 for use
in vehicles is held by a support mount that includes a complementary foot
rack 2 configured to hold the navigation device 1 in place by coupling
the navigation device 1 to a fixed base 20 on an end of the foot rack 2.
The fixed base 20 is connected to a stand 21 via the foot rack 2 that may
be pivoted in order to adjust the position of the navigation device 1.
Further, a suction cup 22 is provided at the other end of the stand 21 to
be attached to a smooth surface of the vehicle, such as the windshield,
for securing the navigation device 1 and support mount thereto.

[0005]The conventional foot rack 2 as described above is known to have
some disadvantages in practical usage. Specifically, the foot rack is
susceptible to vibrations when driving the vehicle over uneven surfaces
and on rough/bumpy roads, adversely affecting the function of the
navigation device 1 and even causing damage thereto due to severe
vibration or contact between the navigation device 1 and objects or
surfaces. Moreover, it is doubtful as to whether it is safe to attach the
navigation device 1 to the windshield glass by means of the suction cup.
Therefore, it is desirable and beneficial to provide a novel
vibration-proof holder applicable to communications/navigation devices
for use in vehicles that can improve on the drawbacks of prior
techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]In view of the drawbacks associated with the prior art, the
invention provides a vibration-proof holder applicable to a
communications/navigation device for vehicle use, the vibration-proof
holder being connected to the communications/navigation device and a
vehicle and comprising: a power supply unit for outputting an adjustable
electric current; a first magnetic body and a second magnetic body
fixedly installed in the communications/navigation device and the vehicle
respectively, at least one of first and second magnetic bodies being an
electrical magnetic body and electrically connected to the power supply
unit; a limiting member fixedly installed in the vehicle to restrict the
first and second magnetic bodies in the same track, the first and second
magnetic bodies facing one another with at least one same magnetic pole
thereof; a gap-detecting unit configured to detect a gap value between
the first and second magnetic bodies and to further output a magnetic
force adjusting signal if the detected gap value deviates from a preset
value; and an electromagnetic control unit configured to receive the
magnetic force adjusting signal output from the gap-detecting unit and to
control the magnetic intensity of the first magnetic body and/or the
second magnetic body by adjusting the adjustable electric current output
from the power supply unit according to the detected gap value, thereby
adjusting the gap value therebetween to match the preset value.

[0007]In a preferred embodiment, the first magnetic body is an
electromagnet, and the second magnetic body is a permanent magnet, or
vice versa, and thus the positions of the two kinds of magnets can be
reversed. Alternatively, first and second magnetic bodies are constituted
by the permanent magnet and the electromagnet combined with one another,
and the first and second magnetic bodies are disposed in a stacked
vertical orientation. The cross-sections of the first and second magnetic
bodies are of an "M" shape. The gap-detecting unit is a gap sensor, and
the communications/navigation device is a satellite navigation device.

[0008]The present invention further provides a vibration-proof holder
applicable to a communications/navigation device for vehicle use, the
vibration-proof holder being connected to the communications/navigation
device and a vehicle and comprising: a power supply unit for outputting
an adjustable electric current; a first magnetic body and a plurality of
second magnetic bodies fixedly installed in the communications/navigation
device and the vehicle respectively, at least one of the first and second
magnetic bodies being an electromagnet and electrically connected to the
power supply unit; a limiting member fixedly installed in the vehicle to
restrict first and second magnetic bodies in the same track, the first
and second magnetic bodies facing one another with at least one same
magnetic pole thereof; a gap-detecting unit configured to detect a gap
value between the first and second magnetic bodies and to further output
a magnetic force adjusting signal if the detected gap value deviates from
a preset value; and an electromagnetic control unit configured to receive
the magnetic force adjusting signal output from the gap-detecting unit
and to control the magnetic intensity of the first magnetic body and/or
second magnetic bodies by adjusting the adjustable electric current
output from the power supply unit according to the detected gap value,
thereby adjusting the gap value therebetween to be consistent with the
preset value.

[0009]In a preferred embodiment, the first magnetic body is an
electromagnet, and each of second magnetic bodies is a permanent magnet,
or vice versa, and thus the position of the two types of magnets can be
reversed. Alternatively, the first magnetic body and second magnetic
bodies are constituted by the permanent magnet and the electromagnet
combined with one another. The first magnetic body and second magnetic
bodies are all disposed in a horizontal direction. The first magnetic
body and second magnetic bodies are of a rectangular shape. The
gap-detecting unit is a gap sensor, and the communications/navigation
device is a satellite navigation device.

[0010]In summary, the vibration-proof holder applicable to a
communications/ navigation device for vehicle use of the present
invention is characterized by the provision of a gap-detecting unit for
detecting position variations of the communications/navigation device; an
electromagnetic control unit configured to adjust the magnetic intensity
of the first magnetic body fixedly installed in the
communications/navigation device or the second magnetic body disposed in
the vehicle body; and a limiting member configured to control and
restrict the first and second magnetic bodies to remain in the same track
and to face one another with one same magnetic pole thereof, thereby
enabling the communications/navigation device to return to its original
set position for the purpose of vibration-proofing the device against
progressive movement. Furthermore, the vibration-proof holder of the
present invention has a simple structure and can be produced at low costs
and thus has high applicability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with
reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram showing a first embodiment
of the vibration-proof holder applicable to a communications/navigation
device of a vehicle in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of
the present invention;

[0014]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic application diagrams showing the
vibration-proof holder applicable to a communications/navigation device
of a vehicle in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the
present invention; and

[0015]FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective diagrams showing two
application examples of the vibration-proof holder applicable to a
communications/navigation device of a vehicle in accordance with a second
preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016]The following illustrative embodiments are provided to illustrate
the disclosure of the present invention. These and other advantages and
effects can be readily understood by persons skilled in the art after
reading the disclosure of this specification. The present invention can
also be performed or applied by other differing embodiments. The details
of the specification may be changed on the basis of different points and
applications, and numerous modifications and variations can be devised
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The First Embodiment

[0017]FIG. 2 depicts a vibration-proof device 3 (hereinafter referred to
as vibration-proof holder 3) applicable to a communications and/or
navigation device of a vehicle in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention. In this embodiment, the communications and/or
navigation device 4 (hereinafter referred to as communications/navigation
device 4) applicable for a vehicle refers to a satellite navigation
device for vehicular usage. Note that the communications/navigation
device 4 may be other portable electronic device such as mobile phone and
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and is not limited to that disclosed in
this embodiment. The vibration-proof holder 3 is applicable for vehicle
use, and more specifically, is to be installed in a vehicle body 36 such
as a car body. In other embodiments of the present invention, the
vibration-proof holder 3 may be applicable for use with boats, aircraft,
etc.

[0018]The vibration-proof holder 3 is comprised of: a first magnetic body
30 installed in the communications/navigation device 4, a second magnetic
body 31 installed in the vehicle body 36, a limiting member 32, a
gap-detecting unit 33, and an electromagnetic control unit 34.
Preferably, the first magnetic body 30 is detachably installed in the
communications/navigation device 4, and the second magnetic body 31, the
limiting member 32, the gap-detecting unit 33, and the electromagnetic
control unit 34 are installed in/on an interior surface of the vehicle
body 36. Moreover, preferably, the second magnetic body 31, the limiting
member 32, the gap-detecting unit 33, and the electromagnetic control
unit 34 are detachably installed in/on the interior surface of the
vehicle body 36. The vehicle body 36 may be, for example, an awning, a
dash panel or a window.

[0019]In this embodiment, at least one of first and second magnetic bodies
30, 31 is an electromagnet and the other is a permanent magnet, the
electromagnet being electrically connecting with a power supply unit 38
for outputting an adjustable electric current therefrom. Besides, the
limiting member 32 is such as a track to restrict the first and second
magnetic bodies 30, 31 in the same track, and the first and second
magnetic bodies 30, 31 are disposed to face each other with the same
magnetic pole thereof More specifically, the first magnetic body 30
installed in the communications/navigation device 4 has a slide part (not
shown) to allow the slide of the first magnetic body 30 on the track (the
limiting member 32) after being attached to the limiting member 32.

[0020]As can be seen from the drawing, the cross-sections of first and
second magnetic bodies 30, 31 are of an "M" shape, and the first and
second magnetic bodies 30, 31 are disposed in a vertical orientation and
face one another with at least one same polar end thereof; in other
words, either the north pole faces the north pole, or the south pole
faces the south pole, or both, thereby generating a repulsive force F
between first and second magnetic bodies 30, 31 to sustain and hold the
communications/navigation device 4 in place.

[0021]Preferably, the first and second magnetic bodies 30, 31 are
constituted by the permanent magnet and the electromagnet combined with
one another, such that the fixed permanent magnets remain vibration-proof
function even if first and second magnetic bodies 30, 31 are not
electrified, thereby saving power and costs.

[0022]According to the needs of the situation, the first and second
magnetic bodies 30, 31 may be electrified when subjected to and under
persistently strong vibrations. Compared to the permanent magnet, the
magnetic capability of an electromagnet is stronger and adjustable by
adjusting electric currents. In practical usage, the first magnetic body
30 may be an electromagnet, and the second magnetic body 31 is a
permanent magnet, or vice versa, and thus the positions of the two types
of magnets can be reversed.

[0023]Further, the first magnetic body 30 may be fastened to the
communications/navigation device 4 by the stabilizing base of the prior
art. The limiting member 32 comprises, but is not limited to, sliding
track or path that is to be coupled to first and second magnetic bodies
30, 31 to thereby restrict magnetic bodies 30, 31 to remain in the same
track without deviating from one another. The limiting member 32 may
further comprise a fixed base (not shown) that is fixed on the vehicle
body 36, thereby forming an integrated fixing rack of the
communications/navigation device 4. Note that the base mentioned above is
optional and the existing fastening rack may be used in conjunction with
the vibration-proof holder 3 for fastening purposes.

[0024]The gap-detecting unit 33 is used to detect the gap distance between
the first and second magnetic bodies 30, 31, and to further output a
magnetic force adjusting signal if the gap value is found to be
inconsistent with a preset value, wherein the gap-detecting unit 33 is a
gap sensor. In that the first and second magnetic bodies 30, 31 are
disposed to remain in the same track, the gap-detecting unit 33 is
preferably disposed on the same plane surface as the first and second
magnetic bodies 30, 31 for easy detection of gap variations therebetween.
Further, the preset value may vary according to actual requirements. For
instance, the gap-detecting unit 33 may be fixedly disposed on the same
side as the second magnetic body 31 on the vehicle body 36; that is, it
is disposed opposite to the first magnetic body 30, and the preset value
may be an initial gap value measured from the gap-detecting unit 33 to an
initial position of the first magnetic body 30. Preferably, the
gap-detecting unit 33 is powered through the vehicle for operation.

[0025]The electromagnetic control unit 34, which is electrically connected
to the gap-detecting unit 33 and the power supply unit 38 respectively,
is configured to receive a magnetic force adjusting signal output from
the gap detecting unit 33, and further to control the magnetic intensity
of either the first or second magnetic bodies 30, 31 by adjusting the
adjustable electric current output from the power supply unit 38
according to the detected gap value for position adjustment of the first
magnetic body 30, thereby adjusting the gap value therebetween to match
the preset value. Preferably, the electromagnetic control unit 34 is
powered through the vehicle for operation.

[0026]Referring to FIG. 3A in conjunction with FIG. 3B, a power supply
unit 38 is optionally added to or built in the vehicle, and the
electromagnetic control unit 34 may be, but is not limited to, an
integrated circuit (IC). As illustrated in FIG. 3A, when the
gap-detecting unit 33 detects a reduced gap value relative to the preset
or initial value, the output current of the power supply unit 38 is
adjusted to increase magnetic force for increasing the repulsive force F
between the first and second magnetic bodies 30, 31, enabling the first
magnetic body 30 to upward return to its original position shown in FIG.
2 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. Conversely, as illustrated
in FIG. 3B, if the gap detecting unit 33 detects an expanded gap value,
the output current of the power supply unit 38 is adjusted to decrease
magnetic force for decreasing repulsive force F between the first and
second magnetic bodies 30, 31, enabling the first magnetic body 30 to
move downward to its original position shown in FIG. 2 by the
gravitational force G of the communications/navigation device 4 in the
direction indicated by the arrow B.

[0027]By the provision of the gap-detecting unit 33, which is continuously
in the detection state, the first magnetic body 30 can be adjusted to
move back for ultimately staying static at its initial position after
certain times of upward and downward movements in case of a temporal
deviation in position.

[0028]Note that it is only exemplary but not restrictive that first and
second magnetic bodies 30, 31 are disposed in a vertical orientation as
illustrated in this embodiment. The installation orientation may be
adjusted, provided that the same effect is achieved.

The Second Embodiment

[0029]FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively depict two differing application
examples of the vibration-proof holder 3' applicable to a
communications/navigation device used in a vehicle in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030]As described in the first embodiment, the vibration-proof holder 3
is installed to provide the communications/navigation device 4 with
vibration-proof effect in a vertical direction. The second embodiment
differs from the first embodiment only in that the second embodiment
provides the communications/navigation device 4' with vibration-proof
effect in a horizontal direction.

[0031]As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the communications/navigation device 4'
is connected to the vibration-proof holder 3' by coupling or affixing to
an end of a connecting rod 37', or by means of a fixed base, and another
end of the connecting rod 37' is fixedly connected to the first magnetic
body 30'. The first magnetic body 30' connects with the limiting member
32' in a sliding manner and is controlled to move on/in the limiting
member 32' in two opposite directions only, wherein two second magnetic
bodies 31' are fixed to the limiting member 32' on both sides of the
first magnetic body 30' respectively, facing the first magnetic body 30'
with the same polarity; that is, north pole to north pole and south pole
to south pole.

[0032]In this embodiment, the limiting member 32' may be fastened to the
vehicle body 36' by screws, welding or suction force. Similarly, the
second magnetic bodies 31' may also be fastened to the vehicle body 36'
by screws, welding or suction force, wherein, if the second magnetic
bodies 31' are previously fastened to the vehicle body 36', the limiting
member 32' only needs to cover on the first magnetic body 30' and the
second magnetic bodies 31' to achieve the same limiting result. The
structures of the limiting member 32' and means for fastening are well
known to persons skilled in the art and may vary according to actual
requirements, and the description of which being omitted herein for
brevity.

[0033]Also, use of the connecting rod 37' is optional in that the
communications/navigation device 4' can be directly fastened to, for
example, affixed to or coupled to, the first magnetic body 30.

[0034]As described above, the gap-detecting unit 33' may be disposed on
one of the second magnetic bodies 31' for detection of gap value
therebetween, and when the detected gap value is found to be inconsistent
with the preset value, the electromagnetic control unit 34' proceeds to
adjust the adjustable electric current output from the power supply unit
38' to control the magnetic intensity of the first magnetic body 30' to
enable it to return to the initial position by the magnetic repulsive
force. Similarly, the second magnetic body 31' may be adjusted to achieve
the same result if it is an electromagnet.

[0035]The communications/navigation device 4' illustrated in FIG. 4A is
disposed in parallel to the limiting member 32', allowing the
vibration-proof holder 3' to counter vibration with respect to the
communications/navigation device 4' toward the left and the right. If the
communications/navigation device 4' is disposed in a manner of turning by
90 degrees or 180 degrees to be perpendicular to the limiting member 32',
the vibration-proof holder 3' may counter vibration relative to the
communications/navigation device 4', forward and backward.

[0036]Further, there are two second magnetic bodies 31' used in this
embodiment and all the first and second magnetic bodies 30', 31' are
rectangular bodies. In another embodiment, the first magnetic body 30'
may be of the shape of a cross, and four second magnetic bodies can be
respectively disposed at the front, rear, left and right ends of the
first magnetic body 30', with the four first magnetic body 30' being
limited to face one another with the same polar end thereof, thereby
achieving the effect of vibration-proof in four different directions on a
plane.

[0037]Compared to prior techniques, the vibration-proof holder applicable
to a communications/navigation device for use in vehicle of the present
invention is characterized by employing a gap-detecting unit to detect
position variations of the communications/navigation device, and an
electromagnetic control unit to adjust the magnetic intensity of magnetic
bodies installed in the vehicle, wherein first and second magnetic bodies
are limited to remain in the same track and to face one another with same
magnetic polar end thereof, such that the communications/navigation
device can return to its initial position to achieve the vibration-proof
effect. The present invention has a simple structure and can be produced
at low costs and thus has high applicability.

[0038]It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof The present examples and embodiments, therefore,
are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,
and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.